All4Ed Flash Year in Review

Hello, and welcome to the All4Ed Flash, where we cut through the noise to bring you the latest in education policy news. I’m Enrique Chaurand. As 2024 comes to a close, let’s take a moment to reflect on the significant accomplishments of All4Ed over the past year.

[Transition to Report Highlights]

First, let’s talk about our groundbreaking report, “When Equity is Optional: Does Accountability Drive School Spending?” This report, part of the “When Equity Is Optional” series, investigates whether low-performing schools have access to the extra resources they need to improve school quality and student outcomes. Shockingly, we found that in many cases, the lowest-performing schools spent less per pupil, not more, after being identified for extra support.

[Key Findings Slide]

• In every state but one, at least 25% of schools identified for additional support and improvement spent less per pupil after identification.
• Among identified schools spending less per pupil after identification, declines in spending were more often from state and local funding sources than from federal sources.
• The average decrease in spending among identified schools spending less from all funding sources ranged from $705 to $2,819 per pupil – with the average decline nearing or exceeding $1,000 per pupil in most states.

[Recommendations Slide]

• State and local leaders should review funding systems, direct more resources to identified schools, and shield them from budget cuts.
• Federal leaders should increase funding for the “7% Title I set-aside” – the only dedicated source of funds for school improvement – to ensure more identified schools receive additional funding.

[Transition to Pathways to Progress Report]

Next, we released our Federal Pathways Agenda – “Pathways to Progress: A Federal Roadmap for College and Career Pathways.” The first report in this series, “Opening Doors: Ensuring Access to Advanced Coursework in High Schools,” explores disparities in access to advanced coursework, particularly among underserved student populations.

[Key Findings Slide]

• Disparities in Access: The report underscores significant disparities in access to advanced coursework.
• Impact on College and Career Readiness: Access to advanced coursework is crucial for college and career preparedness.
• Recommendations for Policymakers: We provide actionable recommendations to enhance access, emphasizing equitable resource allocation and professional development for educators.

[Transition to Co-Authored Report]

In collaboration with Ed Trust, we co-authored “A Vision for Equitable Pathways: Enhancing Support and Innovation in College and Career Counseling.” This report emphasizes the need for every student to have access to college and career opportunities, starting with guided support throughout their K-12 career. A key recommendation is the introduction of dedicated Pathways Navigators to help students navigate their options.

[Cut to visuals of the report and key recommendations]

This report proposes several federal actions:

1. Enhanced federal support and oversight through a new grant program
2. Legislation for universal accessibility to Pathways counselors
3. Federal funding for resource development
4. Incentivizing innovation and best practices
5. Creating a cross-agency task force for oversight
6. Establishing national training and certification for Pathways counselors
7. Fostering partnerships between K-12, higher education, and industry
8. Setting up monitoring and accountability measures
9. Conducting long-term research and data analysis
10. Implementing data collection and sharing systems

[Transition to State Policy Center – website]

After launching in October 2023, our State Policy Center continued to provide technical assistance to 12 states through policymakers, state education advocates, and policy organizations, along with publishing several blogs covering policy trends in state capitals.

[Transition to Leadership Announcement]

Finally, we are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Amy Loyd as our new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Deb Delisle. Dr. Loyd brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to equity, innovation, and excellence in education and workforce development.

[Cut to photo of Amy Loyd]

 “We were delighted to welcome Dr. Amy Loyd as the new CEO of All4Ed. Her extensive experience and unwavering commitment to educational equity make her the perfect leader to guide our organization into the future,” said All4Ed Board Chair Juan Sepúlveda.

[Closing]

As we look ahead to 2025, we remain committed to ensuring that all students have the support and tools they need to be successful in the classroom and beyond. From all of us at All4Ed, we wish you a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year. Thank you for listening to the All4Ed Flash. Be sure to follow us on your favorite podcast service and social media. You can find us on linktree at All4Ed.